OSP celebrates 50 years of drivers' memories

Everyone had been there plenty of times before. That's why they were there now.

The cheers in Victory Lane may have sounded the same, but this time it was a little different.

This time the 20 all-time favorite drivers in Oglethorpe Speedway Park history were being honored not for what they just did but for what they had always done.

Victory Lane was full of memories. The 50th Anniversary Racefest celebration afforded a night to appreciate those who gave chase and were chased over a half century.

"There's some real big names in this group," active Late Models driver Kent Strickland said. "It's a privilege to be included."

Some of the honorees were still active in the OSP NASCAR Weekly Racing Series. But for others, their time at the half-mile clay oval had come full circle. They were back in Victory Lane again.

All of them came to Oglethorpe Speedway Park in search of a good time.

Once that was found, they gave up their free time in search of speed. Catching on quick, each soon became one of OSP's fast-timers, the ones everyone else had to try and catch.

Now they're OSP all-timers. "To be a part of the names on that list is real humbling," Active Late Models driver Donnie Bazemore said. "I have nothing but the utmost respect for all of them."

The 20 drivers that OSP fans, competitors and officials voted as the track's all-time favorites collected more championships between them than years the half-mile clay oval has been around.

"I believe the voters got it right," Strickland said. "They've named some of the best that there ever were at Oglethorpe Speedway."

Each driver made sure the last 50 years were chock full of memories. The local racing scene wouldn't have been the same without them.

"They can tell you some stories," Strickland said. "I've heard some, but I still haven't heard them all."

The ones about Hubert Keller are some all-timers of their own. Keller was known for his sense of humor plus his victories. But down the track of time, what Huberta Keller did many years ago has proven just as hard to forget.

That story has made as many circles around the oval as Keller did in his career.

That was when Keller hopped into a tow truck and came out as Oglethorpe's very own drag queen. Wig, makeup, lipstick, fake bosoms and all, Keller was some kind of woman.

"Next thing everyone knew, I hopped out of that tow-truck and starting kissing on and rubbing up next to all the other drivers," Keller said. "I was Huberta Keller, Jack Gilmore's (fellow driver) date, and I was ready to race."

To a man, they kept coming back to the track week after week and year to year for one thing. They were all hooked on the thrill.

"The closest thing I can compare it to is how a young man feels on a Friday night before a big football game," active Late Models driver Ricky Brant said. "That adrenaline rush during the first few plays comes close to the feeling I get from racing. Except out on the track, that feeling never leaves you. It stays with you throughout the whole race."

While they were chasing one another, every one relished a similar feeling. It's what kept them under hoods, depleted bank balances, up late at nights and always in contention.

"There's nothing like coming around the turn with the mud flying and the cars sliding, knowing that you've got the car in front of you," Keller said. "I've got mud in my teeth and all over my face, but I'm smiling. I'm smiling because I know what's about to happen, and the guy in front of me doesn't. Nothing beats that feeling. That's what it was all about."

On a night full of memories, nothing beat those.

The honorees, selected by fans as well as current and former OSP officials, are: